System and method for recovering and recycling of adhering surface-treatment solutions from barrels and their loads

Abstract

A system and method for removing drag-out adhering surface treating solutions from barrels and their loads of articles in bulk after electroplating and/or chemical surface treatments and the recovery (recycling) of said solutions. The system includes a barrel aggregate (5) for containing the load of articles (7) being treated, a device for moving the barrel between a position inside treatment container (1) and outside of and above the container which is filled with a treatment solution, a rigid half cylinder shell (2', 2") for partically embracing the barrel in its outside position above the container so that the half cylinder shell embraces only that upper part of the barrel which is not filled with the load, and a device (9) for supplying inside the half cylinder shell a stream of pressured air flowing first through the upper part of the barrel and in continuation through the load downwardly out of the barrel to remove the adhered drag-out solution from the barrel and load to flow directly back to the container.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for removing adhering surface-treating aqueous solution from a barrel and its load of articles in bulk after electro-plating and/or chemical surface treatment and recovery of said solution, comprising: a container for said solution;   a barrel aggregate for containing said load;   means for moving said barrel aggregate between a position inside said solution container and a position outside of and above said solution container;   a substantially half cylinder shell for partially embracing said barrel aggregate in said outside position so that said shell embraces substantially only that upper part of said barrel which is not filled with said load, said shell being stationary with respect to said barrel aggregate in any position thereof; and   means for supplying a stream of pressurized air flowing through said substantially half cylinder shell into said upper part of said barrel aggregate and in continuation through said load downwardly and out of said barrel aggregate for removing the adhered treating solution from said barrel aggregate and load and directly flowing the solution back to said container.   
     
     
       2. A system as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: means for moving said substantially half cylinder shell between a plurality of treatment stations including a travelling hoisting carriage operatively connected to said shell.   
     
     
       3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said substantially half cylinder shell has a lateral longitudinal edge; and   a rectangular segment having a longitudinal side is rotationally mounted by said longitudinal side on said lateral longitudinal edge of said shell for swinging movement from a vertical position when said barrel aggregate is outside said shell to a diagonally inclined position towards said barrel aggregate to cover an additional part of said barrel when said barrel aggregate is positioned inside said shell.   
     
     
       4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said substantially half cylinder shell comprises a two piece rigid assemblage.   
     
     
       5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrel aggregate comprises: a longitudinal prismatic or cylindrical perforated shell having a symmetrical cross section;   reinforcing longitudinal ribs;   a door with a locking device; and   two attached end walls.   
     
     
       6. A system as claimed in claim 1: said substantially half cylinder shell and said barrel have substantially concentric rotation-symmetrical cross sections.   
     
     
       7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said barrel when positioned inside said substantially half cylinder shell contacts said shell.   
     
     
       8. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said rectangular segment has a substantially circular segment cross section adapted to substantially conform to the contour of said barrel.   
     
     
       9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially half cylinder shell and said barrel are made of synthetic plastic material. 
     
     
       10. A method of removing an adhering surface-treating aqueous solution from a barrel and a load of articles in bulk in the barrel after electro-plating and/or chemical surface treatment of the load in the solution in a container and recovery of said solution, comprising: providing a substantially half cylinder shell above the container having a shape and size for partially receiving said barrel so that substantially only the upper part of the barrel which is not filled with the load is received in the shell;   providing a substantially rectangular segment rotatably mounted on said shell;   placing a load of articles in bulk in a barrel aggregate;   lowering the barrel aggregate into a container of said solution so that the load is in contact with said solution;   lifting the barrel aggregate out of said container after treating the load in the solution;   introducing the barrel aggregate inside said substantially half cylinder shell so that said barrel touches said shell;   turning said rotatably mounted segment towards said barrel to cover an additional part of the barrel and reduce the air outlet area thereof; and   blowing a stream of pressurized air through at least a part of said shell and through the upper part of said barrel which is not filled with said load and in continuation through said load downwardly and out of said barrel to remove said solution from the barrel and load therein and cause the solution to flow directly back to said container.   
     
     
       11. As method as claimed in claim 10, and further comprising: rotating said barrel aggregate during said air stream blowing step.   
     
     
       12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rotating step comprises intermittently rotating said barrel aggregate during said air stream blowing step. 
     
     
       13. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said substantially half cylinder shell comprises a two piece rigid assemblage.   
     
     
       14. A system as claimed in claim 5: said substantially half cylinder shell and said barrel have substantially concentric rotation-symmetrical cross sections.   
     
     
       15. A system as claimed in claim 13: said substantially half cylinder shell and said barrel have substantially concentric rotation-symmetrical cross sections.   
     
     
       16. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said substantially half cylinder shell comprises a two piece rigid assemblage.   
     
     
       17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said barrel aggregate comprises: a longitudinal prismatic or cylindrical perforated shell having a symmetrical cross section;   reinforcing longitudinal ribs;   a door with a locking device; and   two attached end walls.   
     
     
       18. A system as claimed in claim 17: said substantially half cylinder shell and said barrel have substantially concentric rotation-symmetrical cross sections.   
     
     
       19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said barrel when positioned inside said substantially half cylinder shell contacts said shell.   
     
     
       20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein: said rectangular segment has a substantially circular segment cross section adapted to substantially conform to the contour of said barrel.